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If you're hanging around with nothing to do and the zoo is closed, come over to the Senate. You'll get the same kind of feeling and you won't have to pay.

quote by Robert Joseph Bob Dole
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Zombie Zoo

All down the street they're standin' in line
With white lipstick and one thing on their mind
Hey little freak with the lunch pail purse
Underneath th e paint you're just a little girl
Dancin' at the zombie zoo, dancin' at the zombie zoo
Painted in a corner and all you wanna do
Is dance down at the zombie zoo
Cute little dropout, how come you pack a rod
Is your mother in a clinic ? has your father got no job ?
Sometimes you're so impulsive,
You shaved off all you're hair
You look like boris karloff and you don't even care
You're dancin' at the zombie zoo,
Dancin' at the zombie zoo
Painted in a corner and all you wanna do is
Dance down at the zombie zoo
She disappears at sunrise, i wonder where
She goes until the night
Comes fallin' down again
She shows up with her friends half-alive
You can make a big impression or
Go through life unseen
You might wind up restricted and over seventeen
It's so hard to be careful, so easy to be lead
Somewhere beyond the pavement
You'll find the living dead
Dancin' at the zombie zoo, dancin' at the zombie zoo
Painted in a corner and all you wanna do
Is dance down at the zombie zoo
Yeah dancin at the zombie zoo
Yeah dancin at the zombie zoo

song performed by Tom Petty
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Pharsalia - Book VII: The Battle

Ne'er to the summons of the Eternal laws
More slowly Titan rose, nor drave his steeds,
Forced by the sky revolving, up the heaven,
With gloomier presage; wishing to endure
The pangs of ravished light, and dark eclipse;
And drew the mists up, not to feed his flames,
But lest his light upon Thessalian earth
Might fall undimmed.

Pompeius on that morn,
To him the latest day of happy life,
In troubled sleep an empty dream conceived.
For in the watches of the night he heard
Innumerable Romans shout his name
Within his theatre; the benches vied
To raise his fame and place him with the gods;
As once in youth, when victory was won
O'er conquered tribes where swift Iberus flows,
And where Sertorius' armies fought and fled,
The west subdued, with no less majesty
Than if the purple toga graced the car,
He sat triumphant in his pure white gown
A Roman knight, and heard the Senate's cheer.
Perhaps, as ills drew near, his anxious soul,
Shunning the future wooed the happy past;
Or, as is wont, prophetic slumber showed
That which was not to be, by doubtful forms
Misleading; or as envious Fate forbade
Return to Italy, this glimpse of Rome
Kind Fortune gave. Break not his latest sleep,
Ye sentinels; let not the trumpet call
Strike on his ear: for on the morrow's night
Shapes of the battle lost, of death and war
Shall crowd his rest with terrors. Whence shalt thou
The poor man's happiness of sleep regain?
Happy if even in dreams thy Rome could see
Once more her captain! Would the gods had given
To thee and to thy country one day yet
To reap the latest fruit of such a love:
Though sure of fate to come! Thou marchest on
As though by heaven ordained in Rome to die;
She, conscious ever of her prayers for thee
Heard by the gods, deemed not the fates decreed
Such evil destiny, that she should lose
The last sad solace of her Magnus' tomb.
Then young and old had blent their tears for thee,
And child unbidden; women torn their hair
And struck their bosoms as for Brutus dead.
But now no public woe shall greet thy death
As erst thy praise was heard: but men shall grieve

[...] Read more

poem by Marcus Annaeus Lucanus
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Cant Stop This Feeling I Got

Dear dad,
Things didnt turn out quite like I wanted them 2
Sometimes I feel like Im gonna explode
Everybody wanna see u down 4 the count
But that aint what being a real mans about
The brave and the bold hang around 4 the kill
So the bigger the hole, the bigger we fill it (fill it!)
They can hit us with all they got
But cha know what?
What?
I cant stop this feeling I got
I feel it right down 2 my toes
I cant stop this feeling I got
My body got 2 have it u know
I cant stop this feeling I got
Ill write a letter to the whole world
I cant stop this feeling I got
Every man, woman, boy and girl
Cant stop this feeling I got, I cant stop this feeling I got
I cant stop this feeling I got, I cant stop this feeling I got
I cant stop this feeling I got
U know I cant sleep at night
I cant stop, u know I love it a lot,
Im talking about an everlasting light.
I cant stop this feeling I got
I get to shaking all in my shoes
I cant stop this feeling I got
The doctor say theres nothing that he can do
Cant stop this feeling I got, cant stop this feeling I got
I cant stop this feeling I got, cant stop this feeling I got
Keep on singing now
Cant stop. try 2 tell me how 2 paint my palace,
That aint where its at,
Thats like trying 2 tell columbus that the world is flat.
If the song were singing truely is the best
Then that my brothers is the ultimate test
All in favor say aye.
We can change anything at all.
I, i, I cant stop. cant stop.
Im in a butt kicking mood tonight yall
Cant stop. cant stop.
Cant stop this feeling I got
Cant stop this feeling I got
Cant stop this feeling I got
Cant stop this feeling I got
Cant stop this feeling I got
Cant stop this feeling I got
Cant stop this feeling I got
(no, no, no, no)
Feeling, feeling, feeling, hey!

[...] Read more

song performed by Prince
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Zoo Station

Im ready
Ready for the laughing gas
Im ready
Ready for whats next
Ready to duck
Ready to dive
Ready to say
Im glad to be alive
Im ready
Im ready for the push
In the cool of the night
The wartmth of the breeze
Ill be crawling around
On my hands and knees
Shes just down the line ... zoo station
Got to make it on time ... zoo station
Im ready
Im ready for the gridlock
Im ready
To take it to the street
Ready for the shuffle
Ready for the deal
Ready to let go
Of the steering wheel
Im ready
Ready for the crush
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Its alright...its alright...its alright...its alright
Hey baby...hey baby...hey baby...hey baby
Its alright
Its alright
Time is a train
Makes the future the past
Leaves you standing in the station
Your face pressed up against the glass
Im just down the line from your love...zoo station
Under the sign of your love...zoo station
Im gonna be there...zoo station
Tracing the line...zoo station
Im gonna make it on time...make it on time...zoo station
Just two stops down the line...zoo station
Just a stops down the line...zoo station

song performed by U2
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Human Zoo

Well you just step right up, you sexy thing
Tell me whats been goin on in that funky little brain
Come dance with the devil
You want it when its gonna cost you
cause nothing comes for free
When youre living in a human zoo
Chorus
Dance sister dance through the human zoo
Youre such a mess now, girl
Look what theyve done to you...
In the human zoo
Look what theyve done to you
All love lost, in a fit of rage
Sell your soul for revenge and seal your fate
Welcome to the nightmare
Ive been expecting you
Say anything you like, baby
Just dont let me hear your point of view
Chorus
Dance sister dance through the human zoo
Dance sister dance through the human zoo
Youre such a mess now, girl
Look what they done to you...
In the human zoo
Look what they done to you
Look what, look what they done, baby
They made a mess of you
Harmonica solo
Bridge
Hanoi rocks and saigon rolls
Just drop the bomb then watch it explode
Sign of the times read too young to vote
But old enough to die for you
We got the medication you need
Just dont let us hear your point of view
Chorus
Dance sister dance through the human zoo
Dance sister dance through the human zoo

song performed by Poison
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At The Zoo

Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo
I do believe it, I do believe its true
Mmm-mmm-mm-mm, Mmm-mmm-mm,
Ohh ohh ohh, Mmm-Mmm-mmm
Its a light and tumbled journey from the east side to the park
Just to find a fancy ramble to the zoo
But you can take a crosstown bus if it's raining or it's cold
And the animals will love it if you do - If you do now
Something tells me it's all happening at the Zoo
I do believe it, I do believe it's true
Mmm-mmm-mm-mm, Mmm-mmm-mm
Ohh Ohh Ohh, Mmm-Mmm-mm
The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere
The Elephants are kindly but they're dumb
Orang Utangs are skeptical of changes in their cages
and the zookeeper is very fond of rum
Zebras are reactionaries
Antelopes are visionaries
Pigeons flocked in secrecy
and hamsters turn on frequently
It's a cast you have to come and see
At the zoo - At the zoo - At the zoo - At the zoo - At the zoo

song performed by Simon & Garfunkel
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A Shih Tzu

It does seem to me a funny story though I cannot say if it is true
The one who told me not lacking in humor and that is to give him his due
'Tis one of those zoo sort of stories of how a man and his wife and their young son and daughter one sunday
Went to a small zoo in the suburbs from their home some five kilometres away
A warm afternoon in prime of Summer with only the slightest of breeze
The nesting songbirds chirped and whistled on the Parkland bushes and trees
The children they laughed in excitement a happy young girl and boy
Their zoo visit would be a highlight zoo visits most children enjoy
But the small zoo was a disappointment without birds and only one small dog there
A mangy dog who could do with brushing to remove the burs from his long hair
The father and mother of the children complained to the owner what sort of zoo is this supposed to be
We really think this is not funny since one mangy dog is all we can see
You certainly are not a zoo owner and this place it is not a zoo
But the owner he did seem offended saying read the sign on the gate a Shih Tzu.

poem by Francis Duggan
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Dreamin

Everyone starts with the sweetest dreams
Living long life living beautiful scenes
Make a million dollars wearing gold and jewels
Drive a big black benz or a carribean cruise
Or maybe you dream that you just cant lose
Or playin blues is the path that you choose
Or perhaps your dream of going back to natures plan
And just live off the land and be a natural man
Or of a beautiful girl whos holding your hand
Lovin the one youre with, with her beautiful tan
Like youre holding the riff that laying in your hand
Or you dream of playing band from electric lady land
Riffs just like jimi hendrix
Are you feeling the feeling that Im feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that Im feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that Im feeling
Stop daydreaming!
Thats what my teachers used to say
While they kick a bunch of crap that I forgot anyway
Educatins important to make a man complete
But everything I learned in school
I learned again on the street
Now my time is booked cause Ive got the look
And when I walk on my path
You know I cant be shook
Stay alert in this day you have to go for yours
The force conspires to help brothers
That help others open doors
Wars and battles, rage round us everyday
While the real troops keep our heads up while we play
This game of chance that they busy calling life
Can be quite a disappointing ride
You cant blame the youth and you cant blame god
Now who you ganna blame wheh the dogs in the yard
Are you feeling the feeling that Im feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that Im feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that Im feeling
Wisdon asks are you ready for this?
Experience says the kid cant miss
Professional advice got you thinking twice
Dont roll the dice if you cant pay the price
The omen says walk towards the light
The first impulse is free and its always right
Doubt suggests what you think you can achieve?
Youre just a philly kid from south 2 street
Rappin blues and playig guitar

[...] Read more

song performed by G. Love & Special Sauce
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Can't Stop

I Can't Stop [Controversy Music]
------------
I can't stop this feeling I got
I feel it right down to my toes
I can't stop this feeling I got
My body want you don't you know
I can't stop this feeling I got
It's running all down my leg
I can't stop this feeling I got
Why you wanna make me beg
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
You know I can't sleep at night
I can't stop you know I love you a lot
I never want you out of my sight
I can't stop this feeling I got
I get to shakin' all in my shoes
I can't stop this feeling I got
The doctor said there's nothing that he can do
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
My body wants you. I want you, want you
I can't stop this feeling I got
Baby, baby, baby. Yeah
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
No.
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
I can't stop this feeling I got
Feeling, feeling, feeling, ooh.
Huh, if that don't work
Yeah what

song performed by Prince
Added by Lucian Velea
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Night People

(alan toussaint)
Night people, hanging out
Looking at each other waiting for something to happen
Night people, hanging out
Looking at each other
Waiting for soemthing to happen
While the day world is sleeping
Night people are creeping, hanging out
Looking at each other
When the day world stops moving
Night people start grooving, hanging out
Looking at each other
When the day bees stop buzzing
Night people start coming, hanging out
Waiting for something to happen
Night people , hanging out
Looking at each other
Waiting for something to happen
You dont get one thing
Without the other
We got to keep the world alive
If everybody went to sleep
At the same time,
Howd we keep the world alive
In a word we got the night people,
Night people, hanging out
Looking at each other
Waiting for something to happen
Got to see who is with you
Who is with me, who is with who, were hanging out
Looking at each other
Got to see whatcha wearing, whatcha got
Whatcha sharing , hanging out
Waiting for something to happen
As the day world goes by
Night people doing fine, hanging out
Looking at each other
When the day world starts humping
Night people start pumping, hanging out
Waiting for something to happen
Night people hanging out
Looking at each other
Waiting for soemthing to happen
Night people, hanging out
Looking at each other
Waiting for something to happen
Night people grooving , hanging out
Night people grooving
Night people grooving
Night people grooving

[...] Read more

song performed by Robert Palmer
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Pharsalia - Book IX: Cato

Yet in those ashes on the Pharian shore,
In that small heap of dust, was not confined
So great a shade; but from the limbs half burnt
And narrow cell sprang forth and sought the sky
Where dwells the Thunderer. Black the space of air
Upreaching to the poles that bear on high
The constellations in their nightly round;
There 'twixt the orbit of the moon and earth
Abide those lofty spirits, half divine,
Who by their blameless lives and fire of soul
Are fit to tolerate the pure expanse
That bounds the lower ether: there shall dwell,
Where nor the monument encased in gold,
Nor richest incense, shall suffice to bring
The buried dead, in union with the spheres,
Pompeius' spirit. When with heavenly light
His soul was filled, first on the wandering stars
And fixed orbs he bent his wondering gaze;
Then saw what darkness veils our earthly day
And scorned the insults heaped upon his corse.
Next o'er Emathian plains he winged his flight,
And ruthless Caesar's standards, and the fleet
Tossed on the deep: in Brutus' blameless breast
Tarried awhile, and roused his angered soul
To reap the vengeance; last possessed the mind
Of haughty Cato.

He while yet the scales
Were poised and balanced, nor the war had given
The world its master, hating both the chiefs,
Had followed Magnus for the Senate's cause
And for his country: since Pharsalia's field
Ran red with carnage, now was all his heart
Bound to Pompeius. Rome in him received
Her guardian; a people's trembling limbs
He cherished with new hope and weapons gave
Back to the craven hands that cast them forth.
Nor yet for empire did he wage the war
Nor fearing slavery: nor in arms achieved
Aught for himself: freedom, since Magnus fell,
The aim of all his host. And lest the foe
In rapid course triumphant should collect
His scattered bands, he sought Corcyra's gulfs
Concealed, and thence in ships unnumbered bore
The fragments of the ruin wrought in Thrace.
Who in such mighty armament had thought
A routed army sailed upon the main
Thronging the sea with keels? Round Malea's cape
And Taenarus open to the shades below
And fair Cythera's isle, th' advancing fleet

[...] Read more

poem by Marcus Annaeus Lucanus
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Ladies Pay

All the sailors theyre all home from leave
And everybodys waiting for them to try to deceive
The storekeepers have drawn their lace curtains bare
And all the women and the wee young girls all waiting there
Oh, but how the ladies pay
Oh, if they only knew how the ladies pay
Yeah now, how the ladies pay
Oh, when the men theyve gone away
Nobody is standing on upon the door
And nobody is feeding any of the poor
The poor sick soldier lies in bed beside his girl
Thinking of another place on the other side of the world
Ah
How the ladies pay
Oh-oh, oh, how the ladies pay
When the men theyve gone away
Oh, I wish I knew how the ladies pay
Day and night, night and day
How the ladies pay
Day and night, night and day
How the ladies pay
Day and night
Night and day
Day and night
Day and night, night and day, ladies pay now
Night and day, day and night
How the ladies pay
Day and night, night and day
How the ladies pay
Day and night now
Night and day and now
How the pay now
Oh, how the pay now
Ladies pay, ladies pay
Ah, ladies pay the way now
Ladies pay, ah, ladies pay
Ah, ladies pay
Night and day, night and day, night and day
Oh, how the ladies pay
Oh, night and day, night and day, night and day
Oh, how the ladies pay

song performed by Lou Reed
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A Decade Under The Influence

Sad, small, sweet, so delicate
We used to be this dying breed
I got a bad feeling about this
I got a bad feeling about this
You kept still until the long drive home
You slept safe and close to the window...
I got a bad feeling about this
I got a bad feeling about...
Who's to say you'll have to go (I could go all night)
Well say you'll have to go (I could go all...)
To hell with you and all your friends
To hell with you and all your friends, it's on
Sad, small, sure in porcelain
You're skin and bones, I'm a nervous wreck
I got a bad feeling about this (when it comes to this)
I got a bad feeling about this
You kept still until the long drive home
You slept safe and close to the window
I got a bad feeling about this
I got a bad feeling about...
Who's to say you'll have to go (I could go all night)
Well, say you'll have to go (I could go all...)
To hell with you and all your friends
To hell with you and all your friends, it's on
I got a bad feeling about this (what is this for?)
I got a bad feeling about...
Anyone will do tonight
Anyone will do tonight
Close your eyes, just settle, settle
Close your eyes, just settle, settle
Anyone will do tonight
Anyone will do tonight
Close your eyes, just settle, settle
Close your eyes, just settle, settle
Anyone (anyone) will do tonight
Anyone (anyone) will do tonight
Close your eyes, just settle, settle
Close your eyes, just settle, settle
Well I got a bad feeling about this,
I got a bad feeling about this (to hell with you and all your friends, it's on).
I'm coming over but it never was enough
I thought it through and my worst brings out the best in you
Well I got a bad feeling about this
I got a bad feeling about this (to hell with you and all your friends, it's on)
I'm coming over but it never was enough
I thought it through and my worst brings out the best in you
Well I got a bad feeling about this
I got a bad feeling about this (to hell with you and all your friends, it's on)
I'm coming over but it never was enough,
I thought it through and my worst brings out the best in you

[...] Read more

song performed by Taking Back Sunday
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Vicious Streak

What am I gonna do
I feel like Im on fire
If you only knew
That youre the object of desire
I keep hanging on, keep hanging on
And I swear by God that youre the only one
I keep hanging on, keep hanging on
And I swear by God that it wont be long
My aim is true
My vision is clear
My thoughts are crude
Whenever youre near
I keep hanging on, keep hanging on
And I swear by God that youre the only one
I keep hanging on, keep hanging on
And I swear by God that it wont be long
I keep hanging on
Youve got a vicious streak
For someone so young
Youre like solar flair
In the rising sun
I keep hanging on
I keep hanging on
I keep hanging on
I keep hanging on

song performed by New Order
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Rock & Roll Feeling

Written by james young, john curulewski
Lead vocals by james young
Well i've got this crazy feeling
It's a sickness in my soul
Well i can't play no 9 to 5 games
Hangin' loose is all i know
I get a buzz when i think about ya
Riding high's where i belong
Gonna get my things together
So if you want come on along
It's a good feeling
It's a rock and roll feeling
It's a good feeling
It's a rock and roll feeling
Yeah yeah yeah
Well you know that i am coming
And i'm already on my way
So baby don't you worry 'bout tomorrow
You know it seems like a month away
Well we got here just this morning
And we're goin' at the light of dawn
Well we've only got a short time
So mama won't you keep things going strong
It's a good feeling
It's a rock and roll feeling
It's a good feeling
It's a rock and roll feeling
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
[guitar solo]
It's a good feeling (good feeling)
It's a rock and roll feeling
It's a good feeling (good feeling)
It's a rock and roll feeling
It's a good feeling (good feeling)
It's a rock and roll feeling
It's a good feeling (good feeling)
It's a rock and roll feeling
It's a good feeling (it's a good good feeling)
It's a rock and roll feeling
It's a good feeling....

song performed by Styx
Added by Lucian Velea
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Rock Roll Feeling

Written by james young, john curulewski
Lead vocals by james young
Well Ive got this crazy feeling
Its a sickness in my soul
Well I cant play no 9 to 5 games
Hangin loose is all I know
I get a buzz when I think about ya
Riding highs where I belong
Gonna get my things together
So if you want come on along
Its a good feeling
Its a rock and roll feeling
Its a good feeling
Its a rock and roll feeling
Yeah yeah yeah
Well you know that I am coming
And Im already on my way
So baby dont you worry bout tomorrow
You know it seems like a month away
Well we got here just this morning
And were goin at the light of dawn
Well weve only got a short time
So mama wont you keep things going strong
Its a good feeling
Its a rock and roll feeling
Its a good feeling
Its a rock and roll feeling
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
[guitar solo]
Its a good feeling (good feeling)
Its a rock and roll feeling
Its a good feeling (good feeling)
Its a rock and roll feeling
Its a good feeling (good feeling)
Its a rock and roll feeling
Its a good feeling (good feeling)
Its a rock and roll feeling
Its a good feeling (its a good good feeling)
Its a rock and roll feeling
Its a good feeling....

song performed by Styx
Added by Lucian Velea
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The Hind And The Panther, A Poem In Three Parts : Part III.

Much malice, mingled with a little wit,
Perhaps may censure this mysterious writ;
Because the muse has peopled Caledon
With panthers, bears, and wolves, and beasts unknown,
As if we were not stocked with monsters of our own.
Let Æsop answer, who has set to view
Such kinds as Greece and Phrygia never knew;
And Mother Hubbard, in her homely dress,
Has sharply blamed a British lioness;
That queen, whose feast the factious rabble keep,
Exposed obscenely naked, and asleep.
Led by those great examples, may not I
The wonted organs of their words supply?
If men transact like brutes, 'tis equal then
For brutes to claim the privilege of men.
Others our Hind of folly will indite,
To entertain a dangerous guest by night.
Let those remember, that she cannot die,
Till rolling time is lost in round eternity;
Nor need she fear the Panther, though untamed,
Because the Lion's peace was now proclaimed;
The wary savage would not give offence,
To forfeit the protection of her prince;
But watched the time her vengeance to complete,
When all her furry sons in frequent senate met;
Meanwhile she quenched her fury at the flood,
And with a lenten salad cooled her blood.
Their commons, though but coarse, were nothing scant,
Nor did their minds an equal banquet want.
For now the Hind, whose noble nature strove
To express her plain simplicity of love,
Did all the honours of her house so well,
No sharp debates disturbed the friendly meal.
She turned the talk, avoiding that extreme,
To common dangers past, a sadly-pleasing theme;
Remembering every storm which tossed the state,
When both were objects of the public hate,
And dropt a tear betwixt for her own children's fate.
Nor failed she then a full review to make
Of what the Panther suffered for her sake;
Her lost esteem, her truth, her loyal care,
Her faith unshaken to an exiled heir,
Her strength to endure, her courage to defy,
Her choice of honourable infamy.
On these, prolixly thankful, she enlarged;
Then with acknowledgments herself she charged;
For friendship, of itself an holy tie,
Is made more sacred by adversity.
Now should they part, malicious tongues would say,
They met like chance companions on the way,

[...] Read more

poem by John Dryden
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Pharsalia - Book V: The Oracle. The Mutiny. The Storm

Thus had the smiles of Fortune and her frowns
Brought either chief to Macedonian shores
Still equal to his foe. From cooler skies
Sank Atlas' daughters down, and Haemus' slopes
Were white with winter, and the day drew nigh
Devoted to the god who leads the months,
And marking with new names the book of Rome,
When came the Fathers from their distant posts
By both the Consuls to Epirus called
Ere yet the year was dead: a foreign land
Obscure received the magistrates of Rome,
And heard their high debate. No warlike camp
This; for the Consul's and the Praetor's axe
Proclaimed the Senate-house; and Magnus sat
One among many, and the state was all.

When all were silent, from his lofty seat
Thus Lentulus began, while stern and sad
The Fathers listened: 'If your hearts still beat
With Latian blood, and if within your breasts
Still lives your fathers' vigour, look not now
On this strange land that holds us, nor enquire
Your distance from the captured city: yours
This proud assembly, yours the high command
In all that comes. Be this your first decree,
Whose truth all peoples and all kings confess;
Be this the Senate. Let the frozen wain
Demand your presence, or the torrid zone
Wherein the day and night with equal tread
For ever march; still follows in your steps
The central power of Imperial Rome.
When flamed the Capitol with fires of Gaul
When Veii held Camillus, there with him
Was Rome, nor ever though it changed its clime
Your order lost its rights. In Caesar's hands
Are sorrowing houses and deserted homes,
Laws silent for a space, and forums closed
In public fast. His Senate-house beholds
Those Fathers only whom from Rome it drove,
While Rome was full. Of that high order all
Not here, are exiles. Ignorant of war,
Its crimes and bloodshed, through long years of peace,
Ye fled its outburst: now in session all
Are here assembled. See ye how the gods
Weigh down Italia's loss by all the world
Thrown in the other scale? Illyria's wave
Rolls deep upon our foes: in Libyan wastes
Is fallen their Curio, the weightier part
Of Caesar's senate! Lift your standards, then,
Spur on your fates and prove your hopes to heaven.

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poem by Marcus Annaeus Lucanus
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The Cremona Violin

Part First

Frau Concert-Meister Altgelt shut the door.
A storm was rising, heavy gusts of wind
Swirled through the trees, and scattered leaves before
Her on the clean, flagged path. The sky behind
The distant town was black, and sharp defined
Against it shone the lines of roofs and towers,
Superimposed and flat like cardboard flowers.

A pasted city on a purple ground,
Picked out with luminous paint, it seemed. The cloud
Split on an edge of lightning, and a sound
Of rivers full and rushing boomed through bowed,
Tossed, hissing branches. Thunder rumbled loud
Beyond the town fast swallowing into gloom.
Frau Altgelt closed the windows of each room.

She bustled round to shake by constant moving
The strange, weird atmosphere. She stirred the fire,
She twitched the supper-cloth as though improving
Its careful setting, then her own attire
Came in for notice, tiptoeing higher and higher
She peered into the wall-glass, now adjusting
A straying lock, or else a ribbon thrusting

This way or that to suit her. At last sitting,
Or rather plumping down upon a chair,
She took her work, the stocking she was knitting,
And watched the rain upon the window glare
In white, bright drops. Through the black glass a flare
Of lightning squirmed about her needles. 'Oh!'
She cried. 'What can be keeping Theodore so!'

A roll of thunder set the casements clapping.
Frau Altgelt flung her work aside and ran,
Pulled open the house door, with kerchief flapping
She stood and gazed along the street. A man
Flung back the garden-gate and nearly ran
Her down as she stood in the door. 'Why, Dear,
What in the name of patience brings you here?

Quick, Lotta, shut the door, my violin
I fear is wetted. Now, Dear, bring a light.
This clasp is very much too worn and thin.
I'll take the other fiddle out to-night
If it still rains. Tut! Tut! my child, you're quite
Clumsy. Here, help me, hold the case while I -
Give me the candle. No, the inside's dry.

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poem by Amy Lowell
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Pharsalia - Book VIII: Death Of Pompeius

Now through Alcides' pass and Tempe's groves
Pompeius, aiming for Haemonian glens
And forests lone, urged on his wearied steed
Scarce heeding now the spur; by devious tracks
Seeking to veil the footsteps of his flight:
The rustle of the foliage, and the noise
Of following comrades filled his anxious soul
With terrors, as he fancied at his side
Some ambushed enemy. Fallen from the height
Of former fortunes, still the chieftain knew
His life not worthless; mindful of the fates:
And 'gainst the price he set on Caesar's head,
He measures Caesar's value of his own.

Yet, as he rode, the features of the chief
Made known his ruin. Many as they sought
The camp Pharsalian, ere yet was spread
News of the battle, met the chief, amazed,
And wondered at the whirl of human things:
Nor held disaster sure, though Magnus' self
Told of his ruin. Every witness seen
Brought peril on his flight: 'twere better far
Safe in a name obscure, through all the world
To wander; but his ancient fame forbad.

Too long had great Pompeius from the height
Of human greatness, envied of mankind,
Looked on all others; nor for him henceforth
Could life be lowly. The honours of his youth
Too early thrust upon him, and the deeds
Which brought him triumph in the Sullan days,
His conquering navy and the Pontic war,
Made heavier now the burden of defeat,
And crushed his pondering soul. So length of days
Drags down the haughty spirit, and life prolonged
When power has perished. Fortune's latest hour,
Be the last hour of life! Nor let the wretch
Live on disgraced by memories of fame!
But for the boon of death, who'd dare the sea
Of prosperous chance?

Upon the ocean marge
By red Peneus blushing from the fray,
Borne in a sloop, to lightest wind and wave
Scarce equal, he, whose countless oars yet smote
Upon Coreyra's isle and Leucas point,
Lord of Cilicia and Liburnian lands,
Crept trembling to the sea. He bids them steer
For the sequestered shores of Lesbos isle;
For there wert thou, sharer of all his griefs,

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poem by Marcus Annaeus Lucanus
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